Quebec and Eucharistic Adoration

Pontiff Sees Need for Rediscovery of Eucharist
Cites "Absolutely Irreplaceable Ministry of Priests"

VATICAN CITY, MAY 11, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI
invited a group of visiting bishops from the Quebec province region toward a discovery of the role of the Eucharist in the life of the Church.

Quebec City will be the venue for the International Eucharistic Congress from June 15-22, 2008.

Today's meeting with bishops on their five-yearly visit to Rome gave the Pope the opportunity to address central topics for "the mission of the Church in Canadian society, which is marked by pluralism, subjectivism and increasing secularization."

The Holy Father invited the bishops to "a rediscovery of the essential role that the Eucharist must have in the life of the Church."

Only in this way, he said, will the bishops be able to address "the notable drop in religious practice over the last few years," and "the lack of young people at Eucharistic assemblies." Earlier the prelates reported to the Holy Father on the situations in their dioceses.

"The Eucharist, source and summit of Christian life, unites and conforms us to the Son of God," Benedict XVI said.

Root and core

"It also builds the Church, strengthening her in her unity as the Body of Christ," the Pope added.

"No Christian community can be built up if it does not have its root and core in the celebration of the Eucharist. " The central role of the priest -- who 'in persona Christi capitis,' teaches, sanctifies and rules the community -- must not be diminished. The ministerial priesthood is indispensable for the existence of an ecclesial community."

The Holy Father continued: "The importance of the role of the laity, for whose generosity in serving Christian communities I am most grateful, must never obscure the absolutely irreplaceable ministry of priests in the life of the Church. Consequently, priestly ministry cannot be entrusted to others without effectively prejudicing the very authenticity of the Church's being."

Moreover, "how will young men want to become priests if the role of ordained ministry is not clearly defined and recognized?" asked the Pope.

The Bishop of Rome also saw signs of hope in Canada, in particular, the "positive impact" for young Canadians of World Youth Day, held in Toronto in 2002, as well as the Year of the Eucharist, which awoke a fresh interest in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

I found this article off of Zenit.org from today to be particularly interesting. It tied in various aspects of my reality as a young Catholic living in Canada that are dear to my heart. The state of the Church in Canada. The importance of the priesthood. Vocations. Quebec. Eucharistic Adoration.

The Holy Father had so many good quotes in this article. Read them and ponder them.

I agree with the Holy Father (good thing eh?) that the Eucharist must be at the center of our communities. Christ is the source of all unity, and his Eucharistic presence draws us together.

I know that in my own archdiocese there has been a significant increase in Eucharistic Adoration, particularly among the young. There are regular Eucharistic Adoration events for both high school kids and young adults with hundreds of young people, from all over the archdiocese, showing up at these events on almost a monthly basis. Tied in with these events there are always several priests who are willing to hear confessions afterwards. I know that this has also helped many of the young people in the archdiocese return to a practice of regular confession. These organized events are also fostering a private devotion to the Eucharist among young people. They encounter Christ in Eucharistic Adoration and long to spend more time in His presence. Furthermore, we have four parishes with Perpetual Adoration and several others working towards this.

Although I can't speak of personal experience of the Church in Quebec, I know that there are good things going on there too. Although the Eucharistic Congress is still two years away and I live about as far away from Quebec as you can get in Canada, I've already been hearing about various events relating to the Eucharistic Congress. For instance, Catholic Christian Outreach, a Catholic university campus ministry program I'm involved with, is holding their annual Christmas conference, Rise-Up, in Quebec City this coming year in anticipation of the upcoming Eucharistic Congress. I've also heard about a Youth Summit 2006 that is taking place in Quebec City this month as part of the lead up to the Eucharistic Congress.

Anyways, I thank God that the 2008 Eucharistic Congress will be in Quebec City. The province of Quebec needs to know that Christ is in their midst. The entire nation of Canada needs to know that Christ is in our midst. Really, the world needs to know that Christ is in our midst.